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Monday, November 10, 2008

Overlooking the pathway of Bintang Walk, in between KL Plaza and Lot 10 Shopping Centre, Ristorante L'Opera has gone through a major facelift a year ago

Sporting new looks and a dazzling one at that, Ristorante L'Opera is an Italian fine dining restaurant, situated in the heart of the city. With an adjacent lounge bar, perfect for a drink or two, the restaurant seemed a tad intimidating, had it not for the CIMB Credit Card's Buy-One-Free-Promotion, which ironically, ended on the 31st of October 2008.

Sorry, my posts are all delayed. =P

Beef Involtini (RM60)

The combination of modern decor, and rustic charm, enhanced by the warm, yet delicate ambience, provided a comfortable dining experience, amidst the chaotic rush of Bukit Bintang.

The Buy-One-Free-One promotion refers to any starters, or main courses enlisted under the Chef's Special menu. Not too worry, as the choices are taken from the main menu themselves, not some make-do replicates of REAL dishes.

Bariguole Slipper Lobster (RM60)

Of course, though we were not exactly famished at that moment, after a heavy brunch and all, we still opted for the mains, as such a tantalizing promotion does not come often, I'm afraid. But I could be wrong.

We ordered the Beef Involtini, which is tenderloin stuffed with emmenthal, sage and balsamic sauce, served with crushed potatoes. One can't go wrong when ordering the most tender part of a cow, right? Well, partly true.

The melted emmenthal cheese provided much of the flavour for the lightly salted and grilled beef. The beef itself was good, tender enough to warrant little chewing, and juicy enough to be relished without erm ... juices. The crushed potatoes were slightly too saltish, but provided a contrasting and slightly spicy flavour to the otherwise bland tenderloin cuts.

The other dish (the FREE one) was the Bariguole Slipper Lobster, a crustacean related to the TRUE lobsters, yet smaller in size. Baked with globe artichoke, chateau baby vegetables, and served with saffron potatoes, the chopped bits (yup, you get only ONE slipper lobster's meat, and not an exactly 'well-endowed' one at that) of slipper lobster were thankfully fresh, firm and not dry. But the accompanying saffron potatoes were simply broiled, and bland. And the green peas was not thoroughly thawed. Frozen peas in fine dining?! Ouch.

All in all, a satisfying lunch, sans the dismaying service and the non-attentiveness of the staff. But let's not go there. I'll stop the rants and ramblings now. Still nursing a sore throat and overwhelmed by fever. Damn the weather ... Whoops. ;)

I've been to l'opera twice. For the amount they charge, the restaurant does use 'cheap' ingredients. (e.g. in the lobster they use is of the frozen variety yet they charge a premium for it.

(n.b. frozen peas are certain as good as fresh peas - unless you are able to buy them fresh and cook them on the spot which even a lot of restaurants in england have problems with, frozen peas are invariably better. In fact some Michelin star restaurants used them... that said.. not properly thawed peas are disgusting)

Frozen peas? Hmmm, not sure how I like the sound of that, away from my neighbourhood Western food uncle's stall! Still, free lobster is free lobster and any proper use of artichoke scores points in my book!

Frozen peas in fine dining?! Ouch! pretty unacceptable. either you dont put it in or change your ingredient! and i can see the carrot is also came from frozen pack! This is insulting the name of "FINE DINING". Good chef do not allow this to be happened!

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Who's Motormouth?

I hail from Ipoh, Perak with a strong desire to share the best of Malaysian food, and the endless chapters of my personal travel stories. Currently writes at www.j2kfm.com. And I am residing in KL/PJ now.